Friday 6 September 2013

Village News

with Margaret Morbey

Proposed Heybrook Planning Development - the evening presentation held in the village hall on Monday September 2 was well attended with around 50 to 60 interested residents there to hear about the proposals, see the plan and voice their opinions – several with strong feelings and anxieties, particularly that if this development was permitted, it would lead to other large developments being given the go-ahead, putting even more strain on the already failing old sewerage and water pipes in the village and other consequential problems of an influx of residents. Laura and Rose who presented the evening together with their planning consultant were thanked for openly discussing their proposals with the village and actively seeking to amend or adapt according to points and opinions felt about the number of houses and whether a new village hall should be built etc. The scheme would allow for a new village hall/cricket club/playgroup, play area,and carpark to be built by the Heybrooks, registered and run in trust for the village, or money would be given towards updating the existing hall. Regarding the lease of the Heybrook land now used as a cricket field, it was confirmed that this lease would be extended for a considerable number of years whether or not the proposed housing development went ahead. If you missed this first meeting, another evening presentation will be held in the village hall on Thursday September 12 at 7pm. The Heybrooks can be contacted at Manor Farm or by email to laura@daleandheybrook.com.

Village Draft Plan – Your comments and opinions are needed. The latest date for comments is Friday September 20.

Bingo at The Bell – the first of a new season of Bingo was held on Tuesday September 3 with a good number of hopefuls – some there for the first time and some old regulars. The final Full House prize of £60 was won by a first timer, so it is hoped to see her again next month! Andy, unable to be there, was missed by us all. Paul, the caller, managed very well with Tracey, Andy’s better half, standing in, who was able to keep all the balls in their right places! £38 was raised by the raffle in aid of the charity pot. The next Bingo session will be on Tuesday October 1.

Chearsley W.I at The Bucks County Show
Chearsley W.I. recently entered the annual Craft and Design competition run by The Bucks Federation of Women’s Institutes. The theme of the competition was “Musical Highlights” and Chearsley chose “Mary Poppins”. All the entries were displayed at the Bucks County Show on Thursday August 29 and marks were given for an appropriate hat, cake, flower arrangement and sweets as well as presentation. There were a large number of entries and the Chearsley representatives were delighted to be placed in the first 5. This was the first time Chearsley W.I. had entered this competition and the excellent comments from the judges were very encouraging.

September Meeting for Chearsley W.I. – this will be held on Tuesday September 17 in the village hall when Elizabeth Thomson will give a talk on the “Early Life and times of Frank Markham” – an early 20th century MP who represented three parties in Parliament. Meetings start at 2.00pm. Visitors are welcome at a cost of £4.

Warning – feral cat!
A ferocious attack on a dog took place a few evenings ago in the old Millennium field, Chilton Road by a large feral tabby cat, resulting in several open wounds requiring stitches and costing its owner a vet’s bill of almost £250. Does anyone know anything about this cat, which was last seen on that evening attacking cattle in a field in Chiltern Road? If you have any information, please contact me.

Quiz – a Quiz is being organised to raise funds for The Royal National Lifeboat Institution to be held in Chearsley Village Hall on Saturday October 5 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost £5.00 per team member with a maximum of 8 per team. Eric Carte will be the Quiz Master. Tea and coffee will be provided. Please bring your own nibbles. Contact Tony Hall at The Cottage, Church Lane, Chearsley HP18 0DH, phone 01844 208474 or email tazv.hall@tesco.net for more information and to book your tickets.

Kop Hill Climb - Now an important fixture on the historic motor sport calendar, The 5th historic Kop Hill Climb will take place at the weekend of September 21 and 22 at Kop Hill Princes Risborough, when over 400 period cars and motorcycles take it in turn to try, and mostly succeed in getting to the top of Kop Hill from a dead start. The hill starts with a gradual slope and is 1 in 6 at the halfway mark. The road then eases off before getting even steeper at 1 in 4 for a short section just before the summit – quite a challenge for driving skills and vehicle performance. There are viewing points for spectators in the field alongside part of the hill. Come along and cheer them on. Runs start at 10am until 12.45pm and from 2pm until 4.45pm each day. There will be motor sport demonstrations from 12.45pm until 1.00pm and from 16.45pm until 17.00pm . On the Sunday there will also be a Battle of Britain flight – schedule and weather permitting. Other attractions include A wall of Death Motorcycle, soap box challenge, Laurel and Hardy, static display of classic cars, traders, children’s entertainment, food and Kop Hill ale. Last year, a record crowd of over 14,000 attended enabling over £37,00 to be distributed to local charities. There will be 2 entrants from Chearsley this year – Phil Morbey in his 1951 Riley 2 ½ litre, supported and encouraged by Podge and myself on the Saturday , and Jonathan Hirst of Church Lane who will be sharing the driving duties with his father Richard Hirst of Haddenham in their 1935 Railton Light Tourer. For more information about the day, admission charges and opening times etc. please see their website at www.kophillclimb.org.uk

Home Sweet Home Art Installation – video mapping of “a slice of life” in Aylesbury Last year, on the night of the Paralympic Flame Celebration, the Court House in Market Square in Aylesbury was transformed by Shared Space and Light into a canvas of images featuring Paralympians talking about their inspirations. This company have now been invited back by AVDC with funding from Arts Council England to create a video mapping installation of a “slice of life” in the Aylesbury Vale area, combining residents’ stories and opinions and views with transformations and juxtapositions of architectural styles of the area from different eras. The final work will be played in a 10 minute loop under the Arches of Market Square during evenings in the Autumn. AVDC are looking for residents willing to be filmed talking about where they live and what is good about living in the Aylesbury Vale. Casual interviews will be held on Thursday September 12 at The Queens Park Arts Centre between 12pm and 8pm. There will be 20 minute slots for people to book. If you are interested and happy to be filmed, please contact Jessica Rabone at AVDC The Gateway phone 01296 585939. The Paralympic Flame celebration can be seen at www.sharedspaceandlight.com/projects/flame.